Archive: March 2009 (41-50 of 518)

Mar 30 2009 04:23 PM ET

Reality show wish list: Are you listening, Mark Burnett?

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Reality producer extraordinaire Mark Burnett has another show in the works. Shark Tank, a reality contest show for entrepreneurs, will be an American version of Dragon’s Den, which is the British version of a Japanese series. I have low expectations for Shark — Dragon’s Den is unbelievably dull, and my appetite for business-oriented entertainment is at an all-time low. 

Burnett, once reality’s golden boy, has sort of lost his Midas touch: Jingles, a competitive jingle-writing series, never made it to air; My Dad is Better than Your Dad met an inglorious end, On the Lot, Pirate Master, Amne$ia…well, you smell what I’m cooking, yes?That said, I like a reality contest series, so I’m going to help you out, Mark Burnett, and offer some vague suggestions based on my wish list:

  • Something about veterinarians or zoologists First, pets have never been hotter, nor has the world’s appetite for things that are adorable. Zooborns is…oh, the best website ever, and I fondly recall the Jeff Corwin–hosted series King of the Jungle. It’s time for something along those lines, Mark Burnett! Perhaps conservation-minded zoologists compete for a gig at a panda sanctuary?
  • Something about graphic designers I didn’t care that much about fashion before Project Runway, but now I can spot a sloppy hem a light year away. The Internet already has a huge nerdboner for graphic design, so a show that includes competitive kerning is a sure bet.
  • Something about on-camera anchoring/hosting/interviewing… The career paths for former reality-show contestants seem to converge at what the British call "presenters." At first that bugged me, but now I totally love it. Let’s cut out the part where contestants pretend they want a different gig — model, singer, businessperson — and go right to a Who Wants to be a Talking Head or a Pundit or Whatever. Contestants have to be an expert in something (or at least a good faker), telegenic, and eager to be famous.

Okay, PopWatchers, what’s on your TV wish list? What would you like to see Mark Burnett turn into a glitzy contest? Or maybe you think Shark Tank is going to be decent? (Check out the clip below of the UK version Dragon’s Den, though, and tell me everything on that show doesn’t take 10 times too long.)

 

Mar 30 2009 04:12 PM ET

'Good Looking': The next 'Eternal Sunshine'?

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Filed under: Movies and tagged: , ,

Eternalsunshine_l I’m genuinely intrigued by this script DreamWorks just picked up called Good Looking, described as romantic comedy meets Minority Report. From new-ish screenwriter Chris McCoy (a grad of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts who sold a college comedy pitch to DreamWorks earlier this month), it chronicles a future dating service touted as foolproof because it aggregates Big Brother-ish data collected by surveillance cameras and matches people accordingly. "It would totally subvert Match.com and eHarmony, [where] I think people lie about who they are or they say what theythink people will want them to be," McCoy says in The Hollywood Reporter. "But ‘Good Looking,’ my service,knows who they are and can put them together." The plot apparently turns on the one dude with the gall to turn down his alleged "perfect match."

Granted, I’m getting way too excited about this way too early, but here’s why I’m allowing myself to get psyched about a project from a dude no one’s ever heard of: First, I’m all for any remotely interesting romantic comedy at this point. When the bar is set at the height of 27 Dresses and Confessions of a Shopaholic, it’s easy to get excited about almost anything. We need to talk about love in films — it’s kind-of a big deal in life — and they don’t have to be deadly serious to be articulate on the topic.  Second, it makes me think of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (pictured), one of my favorites of all time, in the way it examines the juxtaposition of technology and romance (without being, you know, You’ve Got Mail). Third, I welcome anything that takes down eHarmony.

So what do you think, PopWatchers? Is my premature excitement warranted? Could Good Looking fulfill all my hopes and dreams? Or am is my irrational hope embarrassingly similar to the way we feel about our online dates…before we actually meet them in person and they dash all our faith?

Mar 30 2009 03:54 PM ET

'The Bachelor' + 'The Biggest Loser' = new (brilliant? horrible?) FOX reality show

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Filed under: Television and tagged: , , , ,

Mikefleiss_lWith the announcement of Fox’s new reality dating series More To Love — a series that casts "curvy women" and will pit them against each other to compete for the affections of a "single guy with a big waist and an even bigger heart" (yes, seriously) — comes loads of questions…well, at least from me. 

First off, the original rose-giver himself, Bachelor exec producer Mike Fleiss (pictured), who is teaming up with Fox’s head ofalternative programming Mike Darnell to concoct the show, has said, "Most of the country isn’t a size 2….It’s the datingshow for the rest of us." With statements like that (and ones like this from Darnell: "Why don’t real women — the womenwho watch these shows, for the most part — have a chance to findlove too?"), I want to know: What exactly does it mean when someone is over the size of 2? Is that seriously what they are deeming as "curvy"? And since when does your size denote how "real" you are?

The press release also stated that this is the first dating show to reflect "what most real single men and women look like." Now I’m dying to know: Is this the tagline being given at casting sessions? How exactly are producers saying such things without worrying about being offensive? ("Uh, yeah, Sally, we really couldn’t use you on The Bachelor, but your merely average looks are perfect for this new project!") No matter how true or not true it is, no one wants to hear that they’re being considered for reality TV because they finally meet the criteria: full-figured and totally mediocre.

On the flip side, maybe I’m over thinking this. Maybe there are people out there who are willing to go the distance to get their 15 minutes of fame for love no matter what sort of stigma comes with it. Maybe this is the chance for these so-called real women and men to shine. After all, Fleiss argues that this dating show is about sending the right message: "Embracing and loving yourself no matter your shape or size." And he adds, "When you are comfortable with your own body, you can really allow yourself to be open to the possibility of finding the right person to love.” Guess I just never realized that past Bachelor contestants — like Jen Schefft and Melissa Rycroft — weren’t, by those standards, comfortable in their own skin. 

Bottom line, I’m definitely intrigued by this new show, and can’t wait to see how far it will get before it gets too controversial. Though, controversy always tend to garners viewers, doesn’t it? What do you think of More To Love, PopWatchers? Will you watch or boycott? Discuss below!

Mar 30 2009 02:23 PM ET

'Celebrity Apprentice' recap: Dennis Rodman, we hardly knew ye

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Filed under: About Last Night, Television and tagged: , , ,

Stars! They’re just like us. Except for the complete inability to complete normal household tasks, such as getting stains out of a carpet or putting sheets on a bed. PUTTING SHEETS ON A BED. Seriously. Last night’s Celebrity Apprentice followed the teams as they acted as concierge/room service/housekeeping in Manhattan’s Loews Regency hotel. While the women did things like ”get the stuff their guests wanted,” the men put Dennis Rodman in charge and he proceeded to get drunk and talk to guests about the great strip clubs in their hometowns. Good choice. In the words of Brian McKnight, ”He speaks in a language that not all of us understand.” Unsurprisingly, Dennis got the boot when the men lost.

Do you think he deserved to go? Which team’s hotel service did you prefer? Which was more entertaining, Brian McKnight’s lovely phone demeanor or Rodman’s woefully short attention span? Where was Khloe during the first day of the challenge? And which celebrity guest had the most outlandish requests, Stephen Baldwin or Vincent Pastore?

Mar 30 2009 01:01 PM ET

Phil Keoghan blogs 'The Amazing Race': episode 7

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Filed under: About Last Night, Television and tagged: , ,

Philkeoghan2_dlCrazy episode tonight. I know we say it all the time, but taxis can make or break you on this game. More spoilerific info from Phil after the jump…

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Mar 30 2009 12:00 PM ET

Clip du Jour: 'The Cosby Show' bloopers

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Ah, The Cosby Show. A staple of every household in the ’80s. Cliff Huxtable is the classic TV dad — he begs for better Father’s Day gifts, his wife always has the last word, and he lip syncs Ray Charles songs for anniversaries. Does it get any better? Witness the bloopers. It’s pretty fantastic watching The Cos flub his lines and make saucy comments to Phylicia Rashad regarding her recent marriage. The best part of this smattering of clips, though, is his hilarious reaction to the checkerboard request (especially the little head bob thing he does). Press play below to see what I mean. 

Mar 30 2009 10:00 AM ET

Quote of the Day: 'Star Wars' social justice edition

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”All those innocent contractors brought in to do the job were killed — casualties of a war they had nothing to do with. All right, look: you’re a roofer, some juicy government contract comes your way. You got a wife and kids, the two-story in suburbia. This is a government contract, which means all sorts of benefits. Along come these left-wing militants that blast everything within a three-mile radius with their lasers. You didn’t ask for that. You have no personal politics. You’re just trying to scrape out a living.” — Randal (Jeff Anderson), on why the destruction of the second Death Star was unfair, in Clerks

Mar 30 2009 07:00 AM ET

'American Idol' Vs. 'Lost': The great 'Must List Live!' debate

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They are titans of pop culture and now air against each other on Wednesday nights. So which show is better: American Idol or Lost? Jessica Shaw and I debate which program matters more (and even allow special guest Sir Anthony Hopkins to weigh in) on the debut episode of Must List Live! Also on the menu: Fast & Furious, Slumdog Millionaire, and Sir Anthony’s somewhat shocking Celebrity Must List pick o’ the week. Check it all out below and let us know who’s right and who’s wrong in the big Idol vs. Lost debate.

More of the Must List:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and more cool stuff of our editors love this week

Mar 30 2009 02:17 AM ET

'RuPaul's Drag Race': Nine suggestions for staying fresh in season 2

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Filed under: Television and tagged: , , , , ,

Dragrace_lGloriously, last week LOGO greenlit a second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race that’ll air in early 2010. The collective gays here at EW couldn’t be happier at the prospect of another installment: bigger wigs, higher heels, more lip syncing for your life!

Like any good girl on the go, you gotta stay fresh: Bigger wigs, higher heels, more lip syncing for your life! Oh wait, I already said that… But seriously, we’ve got some ideas. Here are nine suggestions that should keep TV’s best—okay, only—search for the next drag superstar on top for season 2:

1. Ramp up the guest judges. There were some great guest arbiters in the first season: Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child; Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls; and Lucy Lawless, to name a few. Keep it coming. Might we suggest Candis Cayne, Cher, and Liza for season 2? Okay, that might be reaching a bit too far towards the stars. The point is, though: Keep the momentum going in this department. Find the best gay/drag icons you can. But don’t ramp the judges up too much. (We’re soooo picky, right?) It wouldn’t be a drag competition if there weren’t some measure of tragedy to the folks who sign on to help Ru tell the latest ousted queen to "sashay away."

2. Now, really use those guest judges. Sadly, we only saw a few minutes of Michelle, Robin, and Lucy during their stints on the show. Next go ’round, howabout a little more action from the folks who fill this role? Involvethem in a challenge at least. And, if a guest does come in to help, make damn sure they’re on the judging panel, too. Question: Why was Charo helping the queens in a challenge, yet MariaConchita Alonso then judging them? Same goes for Tori Spelling and hubbyDean, who showed up during the Oprah challenge, yet were sadly absentfrom the panel.

3. Take Santino and Merle out of the judging room. In the finale, we saw permanent judges, fashion journalist Merle Ginsburg and ex-Project Runwayvillain Santino Rice, doling out the week’s challenge to RebeccaGlasscock, Bebe Zahara Benet, and Nina Flowers. And we liked it—it’sfun to see these two wonky judges out from behind their oh-so-powerfultable. So, how about we put Merle and Santino in the work roomwith the ladies a bit more? Maybe out on a photo shoot, giving advice?Offering their two cents as the queens put their look together for theweek? Yes, yes, and yes. Please.

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Mar 30 2009 02:00 AM ET

'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency': It's great...minus the whole 'Murder, She Wrote' vibe

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Filed under: Television and tagged: ,

Jillscottdetective_lHBO debuted its new series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency tonight and, for me, it was sort of a mixed bag. I’m not really familiar with the book series on which HBO’s program is based, but I’m a sucker for anything that airs on the cable channel. First off, I have to discuss Jill Scott’s performance as Precious: It was fantastic. Perfect casting. She was warm but conveyed such intelligence and strength. I’ve always been a fan of her music, but I think she’s really evolving into a great actress. (She was the best part of Tyler Perry’s 2007 film Why Did I Get Married?) The Botswana location was another strong point. Director Anthony Minghella (who sadly died after completing The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency; tonight’s episode was the last thing he directed) captured Africa soooo beautifully. The colors and the landscapes were just stunning. I loved the early flashback scenes in which Precious described her upbringing and how her father taught her to be fully aware at all times and take note of details.

So that was the good stuff. The pacing is what really threw me off. It moved with the speed of an elephant taking a stroll. It actually sort of felt like Murder, She Wrote but even less dramatic. And that show starred a senior citizen! I’m hoping that as this show progresses, the plot lines become a teensy bit more suspenseful. I’m not expecting Precious to get into foot chases with suspects, but at least there could be some more scenes like the one toward the end with Idris Elba’s Charlie, which was tense and compelling. Also, I pray that Elba returns. One thing I think the show could benefit from is a strong, central villain.

And I’m hoping they find a way to use Anika Noni Rose better. She was such a scene stealer in Dreamgirls, and here she seems saddled with a kind of thankless role as Precious’ assistant. Or at least it was thankless in the premiere. Perhaps this character will become more involved later in the season.

What did you think of No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, PopWatchers? Got Angela Lansbury on the brain, too? Will you tune in again?

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